* `--random-peer-priority-enabled` flag added. Allows for incoming connections to be prioritized randomly. This will prevent (typically small, stable) networks from forming impenetrable peer cliques. [#1440](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1440)
* `miner_changeTargetGasLimit` RPC added. If a target gas limit is set, allows the node operator to change it at runtime.
* Prioritize high gas prices during mining. Previously we ordered only by the order in which the transactions were received. This will increase expected profit when mining. [\#1449](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1449)
* Added support for the updated smart contract-based [node permissioning EEA interface](https://entethalliance.github.io/client-spec/spec.html#dfn-connectionallowed). [\#1435](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1435)